The Google Pixel 7a promises to be an affordable yet capable smartphone, the Pixel Tablet takes a very unique approach. Google is also (finally) entering the foldable smartphone market with the Pixel Fold. Finally, something new on the software side with Magic Editor, the successor to Magic Eraser.
Google just announced yesterday at the I/O conference the Pixel 7a, the new iteration of its popular mid-range smartphone line. The Google Pixel 7a of course comes with new features, ranging from improved camera quality, download technology, security, to vibrant new colors.
At €509, the Pixel 7a is slightly more expensive than its predecessor, but still significantly cheaper compared to the industry average. Enough to offer a familiar experience of Google smartphones without breaking the bank.
Although the Pixel 7a doesn’t have the most premium hardware, the Pixel line gets great reviews for its screen, battery life, camera quality, and affordability. We’ve rounded up the most important specs to help you decide if the Pixel 7a might be the phone for you.
The Google Pixel 7a is available in four colors: Charcoal, Sea, Snow, and a Google Store exclusive, Coral. You can pre-order the smartphone today for €509.
Google’s Pixel tablet features the same Tensor G2 processor as the Pixel 7 line and the Pixel Fold. Google
Starting today, you can pre-order the Pixel tablet, priced at €679, with deliveries starting June 20. But before you hit the buy button, let’s take a quick look at everything we now know about the Pixel Tablet.
Pixel Tablet Specifications
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Screen : 10.95-inch, 2560 x 1600, 500-nit LCD - Processor : Google Tensor G2
- Operating system : Android 13
- Memory and storage: 8GB with 128GB/256GB
- Cameras: 8MP front, 8MP rear
- Battery : 12 hours of video streaming
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6 802.11ax, Bluetooth 5.2, USB-C
- Dimensions and weight: 258 x 169 x 8.1mm, 493 grams
- Colors: Porcelain, Hazelnut, Rose
- Price : from 679 €
The box contains the Pixel tablet as well as a docking station with speakers. The dock does exactly what its name suggests, acting as a combination speaker dock and charging dock for the Pixel tablet.
But the docking station is much more than just a charger or speaker, as it also converts the tablet into a pseudo-display that you can use to stream music or videos from another device, monitor feeds from your home’s security cameras, control connected home devices, watch videos, and use to interact with Google Assistant just as you would with any Google connected display or speaker.
The tablet is held magnetically in place on the docking station, with communication and power being exchanged through the pins on the back of the tablet. When you’re ready to take the tablet on the go, simply remove it from the docking station.
Google
Google worked on 50 of its own apps and worked with third-party developers to optimize the experience for the tablet’s larger screen. Last time Google dabbled in Android tablets, one of the biggest complaints about the experience came down to an inadequate app experience, with many basic Android apps being nothing more than a larger version of smartphone application.
The Pixel Tablet is equipped with the same Tensor G2 processor found in the Pixel 7 line and the Pixel Fold. The Pixel Tablet has a 10.65-inch screen, a pair of 8-megapixel cameras, on the front and back of the tablet, and comes with 128GB or 256GB of storage and 8 GB of memory.
The Pixel Tablet is available for pre-order now, but the actual launch date remains a mystery. The tablet starts at €679 for the 128GB model, which comes with the dock in the box. If you want an additional docking station, you can buy it individually for around €140.
Pixel Fold, the “thinnest foldable smartphone on the market”
Google
Foldable smartphones have become increasingly popular due to their portability. And let’s be frank about the fact that it’s trendy. Google has finally unveiled its first foldable device, the Pixel Fold.
The Pixel Fold retains the tablet-smartphone design that folds inward. However, it stands out from its competitors by being the thinnest foldable smartphone on the market, while retaining the advanced technology found in other Pixel phones.
Pixel Fold unfolded, with its 7.6-inch OLED screen. Google
For starters, the smartphone is compact when folded and fits comfortably in the hand. However, when opened, it reveals a large 7.6-inch OLED display that’s perfect for watching movies, multitasking, working, and more. The Pixel Fold is equipped with Google’s Tensor G2 chip.
Tensor G2 also powers new foldable features such as Dual Screen Live Translate, which allows users to transcribe dialogue between two different languages, according to Google’s press release. This feature will be available later this year when the Pixel Fold is updated to Android 14.
Google
The Pixel Fold’s camera is comparable to that of the Pixel 7 range, with a 48MP primary lens capable of 5x optical zoom and 20x SuperRes Zoom. There’s also hands-free capture with Tabletop mode, which you can use by folding the phone and setting it down like a tripod.
Of course, the smartphone has all the camera features found on other Google phones, including Magic Eraser, Photo Unblur, Long Exposure, and more.
Google says the Fold’s battery can last over 24 hours, and up to 72 hours in extreme battery saving mode, and is compatible with both wireless and wired charging. The capacity is 4,821mAh, so we’ll have to test the phone ourselves to see what’s up.
The Pixel Fold, available in Obsidian and Porcelain colors, will retail for €1,899 for the 256GB model and a little more expensive for the 512GB variant. That’s in line with the closest competitor, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4. The box includes the smartphone, a SIM tool, a Quick Switch adapter and a USB-C to USB-C cable.
The Pixel Fold is not yet available in France.
Pixel Fold specifications
- Main display: 7.6-inch OLED (1-120Hz refresh rate)
- Cover screen: 5.8 inch OLED (1-120Hz refresh rate)
- Dimensions unfolded: 5.5 x 6.2 x 0.2 inches
- Weight: 283g
- Rear camera: 48MP Quad PD, 10.8MP ultrawide, 10.8MP dual PD telephoto
- Front camera: 9.5MP Dual PD
- Processor: Google Tensor G2
- Memory and storage: 12 GB RAM, 256 GB ROM, 512 GB
- Battery: 4,821mAh
- Durability: IPX8
- Colours: Obsidian and Porcelain
- Price: €1899 for 256 GB, $1919 for 512 GB
Magic Editor, an AI-driven photo editing tool
Google CEO Sundar Pichai announces new Magic Editor at Google I/O 2023. Google
The Google I/O conference was also the occasion to announce the new Magic Editor.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai mentioned that Pixel smartphone users currently edit 1.7 billion images per month in Google Photos. Magic Eraser is already used to remove unwanted details in photos. But Magic Editor goes a step further by using artificial intelligence now to make complex edits without using a separate photo editor.
Google
Magic Editor will use generative AI tools combined with other AI techniques to help you easily make changes to your images. For example, users can select a subject or element and move it around in the photo, while the tool generates background content to compensate for the absence of the object.
Besides helping with image composition and integrating technology already used for Magic Eraser, Magic Editor will also help users change brightness and other adjustments, as well as modify elements such as the sky And many more.
The new Magic Editor feature will roll out in early access to select Pixel smartphones later in 2023.